TORRANCE, CA – Government Fleet has named Matt Melvin, Equipment Mechanic II for the City of San Bernadino, Calif., as its Technician of the Month for November 2012. Melvin joined the City in May of 2000. He has been an ASE Master-certified Automobile Technician since Dec. 1999 and is ASE-certified in six areas, including medium/heavy-duty truck. Before joining the City, Melvin owned an automotive repair business and had experience as a welder/fabricator and in servicing domestic and import vehicles.

Melvin’s supervisor Leon Schrader, Acting Fleet Services Division Manager for the City, said Melvin has saved thousands of dollars by having a “can do” attitude and the knowledge to complete repairs the City would normally have outsourced. One example of how Melvin helped the City reduce its costs would be in servicing the roof-mounted air-conditioning systems for the boxes on the City’s animal control trucks. The filters require regular service that costs more than $500, and Melvin researched and fabricated equivalent replacement filters that cost pennies on the dollar by comparison.

“During his tenure with the City of San Bernardino he has shown no limitations and steps in and helps out with shop operations during the absence of supervision. He has been trained in many areas, such as an extensive ‘green station’ training as required by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). He is well-versed in the safe handling and best practices in dealing with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). He provides excellent leadership when the equipment maintenance supervisor is absent and keeps the shop running smoothly and efficiently. He is always thinking outside the box to continually improve efficiency.”

Schrader added that Melvin has played an instrumental part in helping the City’s Fleet Services Division maintain its ASE Blue Seal shop status and has a key role in maintaining San Bernardino’s fleet of more than 800 units.

Fleet managers interested in nominating a staff technician for this recognition program can sign up for Fleet Toolbox (for free) here and then submit a nomination via the form on the Technician of the Month submissions page once logged into Fleet Toolbox. You can also read more about the Technician of the Month program here.

By Greg Basich